Punica

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Punica
Pomegranate fruit.jpg
Punica granatum
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Lythraceae
Subfamily: Punicoideae
() Graham, Thorne & Reveal
Genus: Punica
L.
Species

See text

Synonyms

Socotria G.M.Levin[1]

Punica is a small genus of fruit-bearing deciduous shrubs or small trees in the flowering plant family Lythraceae. The better known species is the pomegranate (Punica granatum). The other species, the Socotra pomegranate (Punica protopunica), is endemic to the island of Socotra. It differs in having pink (not red) flowers and smaller, less sweet fruit.

Although previously placed in its own family Punicaceae, recent phylogenetic studies have shown that Punica belongs in the family Lythraceae, and it is classified in that family by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group.

The name is derived from the Latin word for the pomegranate, malum punicum, meaning "Carthaginian apple".[2]

Extant Species[]

Image Scientific name Common Name Distribution
Punica granatum 004.JPG Punica granatum L. Pomegranate Iran to northern India
Punica protopunica Socotra.JPG Punica protopunica Balf. Socotran pomegranate island of Socotra (Yemen)

References[]

  1. ^ "Genus: Punica L." Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 1998-06-02. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
  2. ^ Quattrocchi, Umberto (2000). CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names. Vol. 3 M-Q. CRC Press. p. 2230. ISBN 978-0-8493-2677-6.


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